Dearth of Low-Income Housing Ignored in State of the Union Address

WASHINGTON, DC-In his State of the Union Address, the president touched on the need for housing–transitional housing for released prisoners as part of a four-year, $300 million prisoner re-entry initiative–but he failed to delve into plans to address the increasing shortage of housing for low- to moderate-income households, and the National Housing Conference has taken notice. The public policy and housing advocacy organization has now called on the administration to give this issue the necessary attention in the FY 2005 budget proposal.

“Many of our vital workers, such as teachers and police officers, are still struggling to find decent, affordable rental housing,” NHC president Conrad Egan notes. “For this reason, in its domestic agenda and upcoming fiscal year 2005 budget proposal, the Administration must include key initiatives and increased funding aimed at ensuring affordable housing for all of the nation’s families.”